Postdoctoral position (scholarship)

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A postdoc position in a project to investigate basic mechanism causing autoimmune diseases including studies of psoriasis vulgaris and psoriatic arthritis based on new animal models is now open. This project is supported by Leo Foundation. It is placed at the Section for Medical Inflammation Research, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden, in a project led by Prof. Rikard Holmdahl.

Duties

The task involves the usage of different mice strains housed in our SPF animal house lacking certain immune receptors. Mice will be immunized, and immune cells will be extracted and studied at different time points. Isolated cells will be stained with panels of antibodies and evaluated by flow cytometry. Co-culture in vitro experiments are crucial to uncover mechanisms behind the imbalanced immune response that leads to psoriasis. Gene expression and western blot analysis will be carried out on key immune cell populations to validate single cell RNA sequencing and proteomic results. Serological study on human cohort will be assessed ELISA and Luminex-based method to determine the antibody/inflammatory response and flesh out correlations with disease activity. In vivo and in vitro experiments are planned to test the efficacy and dose of the experimental drug provided by our Biotech collaborators.

The project aims to combine animal models together with a unique cohort of early psoriatic arthritis to investigate new possibilities for therapy and diagnostics based on a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of the disease psoriatic vulgaris (PsV) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Mouse models are imperative to the success of the project, therefore mannan-induced psoriasis model will be used since it mimics the human disease better both genetically and functionally. Clinical samples from a large psoriasis cohort will be assessed to develop better serologic diagnosis for PsV and PsA. The project will also bridge animal research to Biotech companies in order to test experimental molecules and assess their effect on animal models of PsV and PsA. Lastly, single cell RNA sequencing and state-of-the-art proteomic analyses will be applied to uncover signalling pathways in targeted immune cell populations that are known to regulate psoriasis disease activity.

Entry requirements

Scholarships for postdoctoral qualification can be established for foreign researchers who place their qualifications in Sweden. The purpose of scholarships for postdoctoral qualification is to promote internationalization and contribute to research qualification after a doctorate or equivalent.
A scholarship for carrying out postdoctoral research can be granted for a maximum of two years within a four year period following the receipt of a doctoral degree or equivalent.
To be eligible for a postdoctoral scholarship, the person must have obtained a doctorate or a foreign degree deemed to be equivalent to a doctorate. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply, provided that all requirements for a completed degree are met before the (intended) start date of the post doctoral education.

The head of the department determines whether their previous training and scholarly qualifications correspond to a Swedish doctorate or higher.

Location: Solna

Type of scholarship

The amount is tax free and it is set for twelve months at a time, paid out on a six months basis. In exceptional cases, shorter periods may be acceptable.

Application process

An application must contain the following documents in English or Swedish:

• A complete curriculum vitae, including date of the thesis defence, title of the thesis, previous academic positions, academic title, current position, academic distinctions, and committee work
• A complete list of publications
• A summary of current work (no more than one page)

The application is to be submitted on the Varbi recruitment system.

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